Penn State QB is introduced by the Auburn defenseman during the first practice of the game

The hard hitters are at Auburn on Saturday.

Looking for an upset against No. 22 Penn State, the unranked Tigers wanted to set the tone early, and they did just that.

On one of the Nittany Lions’ first plays of the game, quarterback Sean Clifford took a 3rd and an 8 and rushed to try and get the first down. But Auburn’s Owen Pappoe hit him hard, causing a fumble.

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Penn State recovered, but the ball fell short of the first down scorer. On the 4th and 1st, Clifford hid it for a stealth hit but was stopped by the Tigers again, forcing a turnover on the downs.

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However, Clifford turned out to be just fine and maybe even motivated after the big hit.

After Auburn converted a field goal after the turnover, Clifford led the Lions for 75 yards on their next drive and scored on a seven-yard rushing touchdown to give Penn State the lead. .

Late in the second quarter, Clifford again led the Lions down the field, and he also had a 25-yard reception on a trick play.

Kaytron Allen finished the drive with a three-yard score on the ground to give Penn State a 14-6 lead inside the two-minute warning.

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford scrambles for yardage during the first half of a game against Auburn, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Auburn, Ala.
(AP Photo/Dill Butch)

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The Lions and Tigers are 2-0. It’s Auburn’s first time hosting a Big 10 team, and the price of admission was at least $180, according to Outkick.